Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 409

Alaric's lips pressed into a tight, merciless line, his bone-chilling gaze locked dead on Ivy.

Without an ounce of hesitation, he delivered a cold, commanding order. "Get over here."

Ivy twisted her fingers together nervously. Keeping her head down, she walked over and stood meekly by his side, too terrified to utter a single word.

Truthfully, she hadn't done anything wrong.

Xavier had come to see Hazel off, and with Hazel, Gemma, and Landon all gone, naturally, it left only her and Xavier behind.

She hadn't intentionally sought out alone time with him.

But this wasn't the time to argue. She decided to let Alaric vent his frustrations and preserve his dominant ego.

"Are you completely deaf? Did everything I say go straight out the other ear?"

Disregarding Xavier entirely, Alaric focused his searing wrath directly on Ivy.

Ivy kept her head bowed and remained perfectly silent.

But Xavier was thoroughly confused. He looked between Ivy and Alaric, a frown marring his features as he asked,

"Alaric, why are you talking to Ivy like that? What exactly is the relationship between you two?"

Alaric grabbed Ivy's hand, yanking her close before finally turning a lethal glare onto Xavier.

"Isn't it painfully obvious? Xavier, she is mine. Stay the hell away from her."

Ivy gasped softly.

She whipped her head up to stare at the man gripping her hand.

She couldn't believe Alaric was openly acknowledging their relationship.

He had just ruthlessly declared to an outsider that she was his woman.

In that breathtaking moment, Ivy realized an absolute truth.

Alaric truly loved her.

He was so terrified of losing her that his intense insecurity pushed him to aggressively mark his territory against any other man.

The infallible billionaire was actually plagued by jealousy and a deep fear of losing her.

A surge of thrilling joy bloomed in her chest.

Xavier was utterly astounded.

His bewildered eyes locked onto Ivy. "You're with him? Since when?"

Ivy boldly wrapped her arms around Alaric's bicep and faced Xavier with unwavering confidence.

"It happened recently."

"But didn't you say you weren't looking to date right now? And you do realize he has a daughter, right?"

He had planned to put in the effort to win her over.

But did he actually love her?

It wasn't love. It was mere fondness and pity.

What truly baffled him was that a ruthless titan like Alaric would actually fall for a woman like Ivy.

Then again, a girl who had scraped by her entire life would naturally succumb to the intoxicating power and wealth a man like Alaric offered.

Her choosing Alaric suddenly made total sense.

Staring at their retreating figures, Xavier swallowed the heavy lump in his throat and forced himself to walk away, pretending he didn't care.

Once in the car, Alaric abruptly dropped Ivy's hand. His handsome face was dark as thunder, his posture rigid as he stared straight ahead in deadly silence.

Leo Archer started the engine as Ivy cautiously tilted her head to peek at the furious man beside her.

Realizing he was still seething, she reached out and gently grabbed his hand to explain.

"I wasn't purposely alone with him. My sisters literally just walked through security."

"Please don't be mad, okay?"

Alaric replied with glacial detachment, "I'm not mad."